This Boy's Life

A Good Read this Summer...



In spite of the demands of school work, I still found the time to read Michael Thomas Ford's first novel - Last Summer. I read his second novel - Looking for It - a couple of months ago, when Hunski happened to get a copy at a local bookstore.

What can I say? I just fell in love with the book.

I wanted to get a copy of Last Summer but unfortunately, it wasn't available here. Luckily, a friend from the US arrived recently so I got him to buy a copy for me.

And just like Looking for It, I also enjoyed reading Last Summer. In fact, now that I'm done with it, I still go through some of my favorite parts of the book just to get mushy and cheesy. Hahaha!

Last Summer is about a group of gay men looking for love, recovering from the past, and finding themselves in the beaches of Provincetown.

The story revolves around Josh, whose eight-year relationship was shattered after his partner went to bed with another guy; Reilly, a local nice guy about to get married to a nice girl but is haunted by a memory from his teen years; Toby, a newbie who fled to Provincetown to escape condemnation from his religious family; Emmeline, a sweet, sensitive "lady" who is one step away from becoming a "real" woman; and Ty, Hollywood's newest hunk whose roleplaying goes on even after the Director shouts "Cut!"

In the bars and beaches of Provincetown, these individuals walk into each other lives and find that they are intertwined with one another. Though they came to P-Town for different reasons, everyone was bound to share one summer more than they have ever imagined.

This debut novel of Michael Thomas Ford is quite different from his previous written work, thus demonstrating the flexibility and talent of Ford as a writer. Last Summer is one of the perfect reads for this hot season, whether you're lying on the sand under the beautiful sun, or on a plane or a bus on a trip away from the heat in the metropolis.

You can learn more about the novel from here.

Cruised Out!!!



The First Asian Pink Tour
4 days / 3 nights
SuperStar Virgo
May 8-11, 2005

Party on board Star Cruises' Superstar Virgo. Journey to Singapore, Penang and Phuket on the first ever gay-themed cruise in Asia.

Cruise Itinerary
DATE PORT ETA ETD
08-May Singapore 4pm
09-May Penang 12nn 8pm
10-May Phuket 8am 6pm
11-May Singapore 7pm

For more info, click here or Call AIRBORNE 7 Travel at:
(632) 751-9860/751-9858 for inquiries and reservations.

Nothing to Post...

So check out this site. Type in a word and it generates some sort of artwork for you. Kinda cool, actually.





Got the link from this guy's blog.

Breakfast in Tagaytay

Here are some photos from the Tagaytay trip two weeks ago, in celebration of Suki's birthday.



The Splendid View of the Taal Volcano from Breakfast at Antonio's



Vince, Suki and Jigs



Vince, Mark and Me



Spring Summer Collection of Icon...Hahaha!



Spring Summer Collection of Icon...Second Layout...Hahaha!



Breakfast Gang...



Breakfast Gang Again...

Hope you enjoyed.

Wish you were there...

Days to Reflect...



The Holy Week has always been a special occasion for this predominantly Catholic country. For others, this is the time to go out of town, hit the beach, and party. For others, this is a special time to pray and remember the passion of the Christ.

Whatever we're doing on these days, I hope we all remember to stop, for a while, reflect and say a little prayer to Him...

Can't Wait for Tomorrow

The Maundy Thursday marks the start of the triduum of Lenten celebration. For thousads of (practicing) Catholic Filipinos across the country , Maundy Thursday is a start of the three days a little more silence and reflection in observation of the Holy Week.

For me, however, it will be a special day of happiness and joy because tomorrow is the day Hunski arrives back from the US. Yay! Yay! Yay!

I'm sure the Big Guy would understand me. Hehehe!

Anyway, I have to go to sleep now. Hunski's arriving later at 3.30 a.m. and I'm going to fetch him at the airport. I want to get a few hours sleep so I can somehow look good for Hunski. Hehehe!

Friends and Lovers

I just submitted my other final exam. As of this minute, I am officially on vacation until Sunday. After that, I just have to finish the revisions for two papers and then, the semester is over for me.

Wooohooo!

I'm just too happy right now to post something you can read. So instead, I'll just post some photos from the photo shoot the whole gang had with Mr. Raymund Isaac middle of last year.

There's more but these are some of the nice ones.

Can you guess who the couples are in the photos? Hehe!


The Icon Mafia


Dolce and Gabbana Fall Collection...Hahaha!


Gap Spring Collection...Hahaha!

Hope you guys are having a nice day!

My Japanese Name...

I dunno how accurate this is but I got it from funny man Wayne's blog, who got it from someone else.

And since I don't have enough time to post something nice because I'm off to have brunch at Breakfast at Antonio's in Tagaytay(Yay! Yay! Yay!), this will do for now...

My japanese name is 森田 Morita (forest field) 一真 Kazuma (one reality).
Take your real japanese name generator! today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Name Generator Generator.

Try it here.

The Male Gaze Gone Gay and Time Magazine...



I like US Vogue.

I like the glorious dresses gracing the pages of the magazine. I like the models and mortals it features. Lately, I've begin to like reading the articles and the celebrity interviews. I like Anna Wintour. (And this requires a different entry...)

I like US Vogue.

Many people, and I assume especially radical feminists, would argue that I shouldn't support Vogue because it objectifies women and promotes consumerism and so on and so forth. While I believe and advocate feminist ideas, I have to say that one reason why I buy the magazine is because I enjoy looking at the fantastic clothes and the beautiful models. Ah, I can hear the rad fems saying, "We knew it! We knew it! It's the 'male gaze'!"

No girls, it's more like the 'gay male gaze,' if there is such a thing. Because I'm sure I don't see Natalia or Daria as a sexual object in a $24,000 gown, but rather I see them as goddesses treading the soils of the earth. So you see it's more of a celebration and, in a way, glorification of femininity rather than sexual gratification.

Don't get me wrong here though. Just because I like Vogue, it doesn't mean that I buy every issue of it. I'm still in the right sense to realize that it's just too much to pay for a magazine (at least here in the magazine), even if it's Vogue. Perhaps when I'm earning more and I can actually afford to buy more than one item that's in the fashion spreads, then I might start buying every issue.

Next to US Vogue, the next style magazine that I've begin to like is the Time supplement Style and Design. If not for an issue last year that had Gisele Bundchen on the cover, I never even knew this supplement existed.

Aside from the price, well it's practically a freebie, the main reason why I like Time's Style and Design is that it places fashion in a more intellectual, economic, even political, point of view. And I guess that makes it more enjoyable for me to read. Though there may be just a few pages of fashion spreads, I still find myself satisfied by the articles that are presented and the news bits. Could it be because some articles have an 'Asian' tone? Could it just be because I want more intellectual presentation of fashion? I don't know.

And now, it just occurred to me that I'm starting to like it so much that Vogue is so close to exchanging ranks with it. Haha! I just wish I knew how frequent Style & Design comes out (I think it coincides with the fashion seasons.) and I wish I know when it's already in the newsstands.

I know what you're saying, "Get a subscription." Well, I just want the four Style & Design issues, so it's pointless to get a year's subscription.

Oh well. Anyway, check out the current issue of Time's Style and Design I'm currently enjoying.

Cheaper Way to Get to Singapore...



I got an email from a friend that just got me so excited it made me want to buy a plane ticket to Singapore.

Yep, you read that right.

Apparently, Tiger Airways will be starting its operations here in the country come April 2005. Their terminal will be at Clark (the former US Airbase) in Pampanga, which a couple of hours away from Manila.

But who cares?

With tickets starting just at almost Singaporean $30, who cares about taking the short trip to Pampanga? I wouldn't.

That's already a lot of saved money, compared to the tickets sold by the huge airlines.

Hmm, what if I go to Singapore tomorrow morning and come back in the evening? That sounds fun.

Ah, but wait. Flights don't start until April 2005.

Too bad. Check out the site of Tiger Airways.

It's the Time of the Sem...

It's the time of the semester in school when the feel of the atmosphere around changes as abruptly as the shift from the cool winds of January to the sweltering heat of March, as it ushers in the summer season.

The youth vibe of the college students is suddenly replaced by the seriousness that you felt back in your younger days, and you were in the company of elders.

You look at people, and you see deep set eyes, unkempt hair, and unorganized things.

When I take the jeepney that goes inside the university, I notice the other passengers all concentrating on the pile of paper on one hand, while the other hand holds the to-go breakfast.

I look around me, and instead of seeing students fooling around and hearing boisterous laughter, what I see are small groups of people whispering silently to each other as if trying to plan something.

And this air of seriousness will go on for the next two weeks, before things go back to "normal".

Ah yes, it's finals week again!

Busy Week...

It's the last week of school. I don't have classes anymore but this week and next week will be heavily toxic for me as I will be preoccupied with two take home final exams and three papers.

I've already seen the final exams. One is easy and can be done in one sitting, but the other, oh my gawd!!! It will take me days to finish it.

As for the papers, the good thing about this is that I've been working on it the whole semester so it should relatively be easy. Just add the revisions and that's it. Not!!!

Sigh.

Who am I kidding? I enjoy getting toxic at the end of the semester. I may be complaining but deep within me, I know I am enjoying every moment of it. Alright, about 80% of it.

Since I'll be on finals week, I might not be able to post that much or if I do it won't be on regular intervals. Hope everyone is well.

Hugs to everyone, especially to you, cute one who's in Arizona right now.

Please, please, please come home already. I miss you so much.

Oooops, feminists will not like this.

Bitten by the Blog Bug...

Two good friends of mine have recently been bitten by the blog bug. Since I can't post much this week due to my finals, why not go check out what's happening in the fabulous lives of friends David and Chary?


To read about Dave's recent trip to breathtaking Boracay, click here.


To read about Chary's ultra-exciting ongoing trip to Singapore,click here.

Welcome to world of blogging, Dave and Chary!!!

Alphabet Soup

A - Age: Turning 26 this October. Augh!
B – Band/Group listening to right now: None
C - Career: Graduate Student/Associate Editor for the Country’s Hottest LGBT Lifestyle Mag! Haha! Forgive me guys. I need some ego feeding these days.
D - Drink or smoke: Drinks once in a while. Smoked one or two sticks in college. Never got into it.
E - Easiest person/s to talk to: Hunski, Carlo and Richie
F - Favorite song/s at the moment: Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera
G - Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms: Gummy Worms…they’re more enjoyable
J - Junk food you like: I’m not into junkfood so whatever is there…Lay’s with homemade salsa?
L - Longest car ride ever: A couple of hours. I usually take the bus on long trips.
M - My favorite Sports: Swimming (I’m a frustrated swimmer) and Gymnastics (thanks to Hunski who introduced me to it)
N - Number for good fortune: 8!
O - One wish you have?: To have peace of mind
P - Phobias: Small enclosed spaces…yes, I’m claustrophobic
Q - Favorite Quote: “To lay down one’s life for a friend”
R - Reason to smile: The good life...well, almost
S - Sleeping position: Sideways hugging a pillow
T - Time you woke up: Uhm, usually it’s five thirty a.m. but since I’ve been sleeping around one a.m. lately, I wake up around eight.
U - Unknown fact about u: I almost entered the seminary to be a priest!
V - Vegetable/fruit you hate: None! I’m trying to be a vegetarian. Now, if I can only give up seafood.
W - Worst habit: Procrastination
X - X-rays you've had: Lungs (for work, for school)
Y - Yummy food/s: Hunski’s Spinach Pie or Vegetarian Paella from Greens
Z - Zodiac sign: Libra

Got this from good friend David's blog.

J-Crew Guy...

Nothing substantial really.

While enjoying a nice cup of cold mango slush with Richie and Suki and probably because we had nothing really that important to talk about, Suki tells me "Hey, you know, I now know which clothing company you are."

"Really? So who am I?," I replied.

"If I am Banana Republic, and Jigs is Gap, I figured you're J. Crew." he said.

And so our discussion moved on to figuring which clothing store would represent the other boys of the band. Here's what we came up with.

Richie would be Old Navy. Hunski would be Club Monaco. Vince would be Express. Richard would be FCUK.

For what reason? I'm not exactly sure. Hahaha!

Told you nothing substantial in this post.

Feeling Professor...





Here are two photos of me from the symposium. Notice how serious I am in my attempt to look as scholarly as possible. Hahaha! And please notice my visual aids. If that didn't catch the attention of the audience, then I don't know what would.

Haha!

The whole symposium was really fun. Richie (who was also one of the speakers) and I have been talking about it and we both agreed that we want to do more talks like this, if opportunities come in the future.

I hope that, by that time, I would be done with my Master's.

The Answer Is...

The answer to yesterday's wonderings are very simple, surprisingly. I have always believed that things happen for a reason. Sometimes, the reason might not be that clear but I'm sure there is a reason.

I think that it's only normal to feel frustrated and to feel down and low when not-so-good things happen. That's anticipated. But what's important is for one to learna to keep himself/herself composed in the face of adversity.

So how does one keep his/her sanity?

You pray. You repeatingly tell yourself, "Everything will be okay." You go to sleep. And when you wake up in the morning, you face the brand new day with optimism in your heart and in your mind.

Things will be okay.

Tell Me...

How do you remain optimistic when all that you've planned aren't turning the way you want it to be? How do you keep on smiling when there's nothing to smile about? How do you keep yourself from snapping when things haven't been going the way you want it to be? How do you keep your faith when your god keeps on putting you to the test?

It's the start of the week and this is how I feel. As I have mentioned in a previous entry, I did not renew my contract with my temporary work because I prioritize my school more. I am however doing volunteer work at the organization by continuing my work every other day or so. And that's okay with me. Seriously.

However, something really frustrating happened. We're having some fundraising brochures printed. I gave the photoshop file and asked the printer to give us a proof before printing all the five hundred copies. The printer did not give us a proof and proceeded printing all five hundred. I went to the printer today to see the sample. The printing was okay. The colors were okay. Everything looked okay until I read through the text. The words "communication research, and film and audio visual communication" were missing in one section. I told my director about the error and it's a good thing he didn't get angry and it's even better that he agreed to talk to the printer.

Augh! I'm so frustrated. How could this have happened? First, I don't get the position that I thought I would get. Second, this error in the printing happens. Third, everything is just not going very well.

So, with all these things happening that would drive anyone crazy, tell me how one remains optimistic, how one continues to keep smiling, and how one will continue to keep his faith.

Tell me...

Somewhat Alone for the Next Two Weeks...

Hunski left for the US last night. Huhuhu! He's going to take a much needed vacation. I'm missing him terribly but a bigger part of me is happy because he got to take the flight to Los Angeles (he's a chance passenger). He really needs that vacation. I hope the two weeks in the US will be of help to him.

So I'm "alone" for the next two weeks, in the sense that my significant half is not here. It feels different, because the last time we were apart from each other for more than a week was when he went to the US in 2002.

Looking at the bright side, I'd be able to concentrate more on my papers so that when Hunski comes back, I have almost nothing more to think about but him.

Have a great vaca, Hunski! Wuv ooski!

Augh!!!

I just got an email from the company I interviewed with a couple of weeks ago. The company which I wanted to join so much. Basically, the email said the position was already filled up. Bummer! It's okay though. I guess it wasn't meant for me.

Haaay, Lord! What are you doing? I hope you have something better in store for me. Hehe!

Help a Struggling Graduate Student

I need your help. We're doing a descriptive study on FHM magazine and its Non-Target Readers for our Research Design class. The study basically aims to 1.) identify the issues and concerns articulated in the magazine, and 2.) identify the reasons what makes non-target readers pick up the magazine and read it.

The methods we're using for the study are content analysis and focus group discussions. We've already begun with the content analysis of FHM but we still need to conduct Focus Group Discussions. This is where I need your help. I need gay and lesbian participants for the FGD. If you know any gays and lesbians, aged 18-below or 36-above, who read FHM (should at least be familiar with the sections and the features of the said mag) and who has the heart to help a bunch of struggling graduate students, kindly give them my email or forward their numbers to me, so I can schedule an FGD session with them.

I need 8 gay men and 8 lesbians. Snacks will be served during the FGD

Thank you very much.

I Want, I Want



I super want to read this book. Written by Jerry Oppenheimer, Front Row gives us the inside story of US Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and her rise to power. Undoubtedly, she is the most powerful and influential style leader in the world.

Anna Wintour been called many things-"Nuclear Wintour," by the British press, "cold suspicious and autocratic, a vision in skinniness," by Grace Mirabella, the editor she dethroned at Vogue, and the "Devil" by those who believe she was the inspiration for Lauren Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada.

Based on what I have found the internet, Front Row includes startling revelations such as: Anna's "silver spoon" childhood spent craving time with her father, her rebellious teen years in London, obsessed with fashion, night-clubbing and dating roguish men, her many tempestuous romances, her marriage to a brilliant child psychiatrist, her role as a mother, and the shocking scandal that led to divorce when she had an affair with a married man.

Augh!!! I want this book.

Toxic Week

The semester's about to end so I'm swamped with schoolwork.

Haaaay!!!